Dumbbell Supporting Device

ABSTRACT

A dumbbell supporting device comprises a cradle for supporting a dumbbell therein and a frame adjustably supporting the cradle thereon at a selected one of various heights above the ground. A worm gear driven lift mechanism safely raises the dumbbells from ground level to the user&#39;s desired starting position for the exercise they are performing. The device eliminates the need for unnecessary lifting, making for a safer and more efficient workout.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.provisional application Ser. No. 60/793,651, filed Apr. 21, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for supporting dumbbellsthereon for conveniently placing the dumbbells in relation to a userperforming exercises, and more particularly the invention relates to adevice for placing the dumbbells at a selected height. The deviceincludes a lifting mechanism using a worm gear to provide a safer andmore effective way of placing the dumbbells.

BACKGROUND

Users of dumbbells currently have to use three steps in their workoutroutine just for preparation purposes. For example, in performingpresses, the dumbbells must first be removed from their housing racks,and then transported to the weight bench. Second, while seated, the userhas to reach down and lift the dumbbells up to their knees, which placesan abnormal amount of strain on the users lower back. Third, the usermust lift the dumbbells from their knees to shoulder heights, whichrisks injury to the lower back and shoulder. In these three steps,whether the user is doing a bench press, shoulder press, incline ordecline press, they risk injury due to unnatural motions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a dumbbellsupporting device comprising:

a cradle for supporting a dumbbell therein; and

a frame adjustably supporting the cradle thereon at a selected one ofvarious heights above the ground.

The dumbbell supporting device solve the problems of the prior art bypositioning dumbbells ready for use before any one of a plurality ofdifferent exercises is performed by the user. The device may utilize aworm gear driven lift mechanism to safely raise the dumbbells fromground level to the user's desired starting position for the exercisethey are performing. The device eliminates the need for unnecessarylifting, making for a safer and more efficient workout.

The present invention is designed to cater to the fitness world. It isspecifically intended to assist people who use dumbbells to achievetheir fitness goals. This machine is able to accommodate a wide varietyof styles and levels of fitness. It is able to support weights of up to350 pounds per side. It will raise the dumbbells to a usable height in asafe and efficient manner, thereby eliminating the present problemscaused by manually bringing heavy dumbbells into the starting positionfor several exercises.

The frame may include an upright track along which the cradle issupported for sliding movement.

A motor may be provided for controlling the movement of the cradle inrelation to the frame between the various heights.

The cradle may be coupled to the motor through a worm gear.

There may be provided a pair of cradles for supporting dumbbellsrespectively thereon, wherein each cradle is coupled to a respectivemotor for displacing the cradle between the respective various heightsabove the ground, in which the motors are commonly actuated.

The motor is preferably actuated by a foot pedal. In addition, the motoris preferably actuated by a control which can be located at variouspositions remotely from the motor.

The frame may comprise a pair of uprights each supporting a cradlethereon for adjustment between various heights above the ground. The twouprights may be joined at respective top ends thereof by a cross member.

In this instance, the cradles are preferably moveable along therespective uprights commonly with one another.

When the uprights are horizontally spaced apart in a lateral direction,the cradles are preferably oriented to support the dumbbells in alongitudinal direction oriented generally horizontally and perpendicularto the lateral direction of spacing between the uprights.

The cradles comprises two cupped portions for supporting weighted endportions of a dumbbell thereon in which the cupped portions are spacedapart from one another by a distance suitable for receiving a hand of auser therebetween.

An inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cuppedportion preferably includes an upwardly projecting divider member fixedthereon.

Each cradle preferably comprises two plates which are spaced from oneanother in a longitudinal direction along a common axis, wherein eachplate includes a lower portion for supporting a respective weighted endportion of a dumbbell thereon and extends upwardly from the lowerportion to respective spaced apart free edges which are higher inelevation than the lower portion and which are located in opposingradial directions in relation to the common axis.

The cradle may comprise a pair of cupped portions which are curved abouta common axis, with the cupped portions being spaced apart from oneanother in the direction of the common axis.

An inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cuppedportion may includes a divider plate which is oriented generallyperpendicularly to the common axis.

The device may be provided in combination with a dumbbell supported onthe cradle in which the dumbbell comprising a handle suitably sized forgripping in a single hand of a user, the handle spanning between a pairof weighted members.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dumbbell support device

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device.

FIG. 4 is top plan view of the device.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of view one of the cradles for supporting thedumbbell therein.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cradle according to FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of one of the carriage blocks which supportsthe cradle on the frame.

FIG. 9 is a partly sectional side elevational view of the components ofthe lift mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second embodiment of the dumbbell supportdevice.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are top plan and side elevational views respectivelyof the device according to FIG. 10.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying Figures there is illustrated a dumbbellsupporting device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Thedevice 10 is particularly suited for supporting dumbbells 11 thereon ina desirable position prior to a user performing exercises. Typicaldumbbells 11 supported on the device comprise a handle which is suitablysized for gripping in a user's hand and which spans between a pair ofweighted members mounted at opposing ends of the handle.

The device includes a frame 12 comprising two uprights 14 which arevertically oriented parallel to one another and spaced part in a lateraldirection. Each upright comprises an elongate hollow tube having asquare cross section.

A base member 16 is provided at the bottom end of each upright 14 whichis larger in a horizontal dimension than the upright for supporting theuprights in their vertical orientation. Each base member 16 spans in thelateral direction only outwardly from the uprights so as to be flushwith the upright at the inner side. The base members are also wider thanthe uprights in both longitudinal directions, in which the longitudinaldirections are oriented perpendicularly to lateral direction of spacingbetween the uprights. The base 16 comprises an enclosed housing definingan interior chamber therein.

Braces 18 are provided which span from the respective base members 16 atpositions spaced laterally outwardly from the respective uprights to topends which are joined to the uprights adjacent the top end thereof.

A cross member 20 is provided for joining between the top ends of theuprights 14 by spanning in the lateral direction between the uprights.The cross member is arch shaped so as to be bowed upwardly to be higherthrough a central portion than the height of the uprights 14.

Each upright 14 includes an elongate vertical slot 22 along the innerside thereof which faces the opposing upright.

A carriage block 24 is slidably mounted along each upright 14 formovement therealong in the vertical direction within the hollow interiorof the tube defining the upright. The carriage block 24 is square incross section having dimensions which are only slightly less then theinterior dimension of the uprights for fitting in close tolerancetherein. Rollers 26 are mounted on each side of the block 24 forengaging all four inner surfaces of the respective upright for rollingmovement of the carriage block along the upright. Each side of the blockincludes at least one set of vertically spaced rollers. The inner andouter sides however, each include two sets of vertically spaced rollersin which the two sets are spaced horizontally from one another. Avertical opening 28 is provided through the center of the carriageblock.

A cradle 30 is supported on each carriage block for movement therewithalong the respective uprights. Each block 24 includes a mounting post 32projecting horizontally inwardly therefrom to extend through the slot 22defined in the respective upright for sliding movement of the post alongthe slot as the carriage post is slidably displaced along the respectiveupright. The mounting post 32 is telescopic in length and mounts thecradle 30 on the free end thereof for adjustment of the spacing betweenthe cradle 30 and the respective carriage block upon which it iscarried. A suitable locking pin 34 is received in cooperating aperturesin the post 32 for selectively restricting the length thereof once adesired spacing of the cradle 30 from the carriage block is selected.

The cradle 30 comprises two cupped portions 36, each of which includesan upper concave surface for supporting a portion of the dumbbellthereon. Each cupped portion 36 has a central portion upon which thedumbbell is supported and side portions extending upwardly and outwardlyfrom the central portion to spaced apart upper free edges 38 of thecradle. The cupped portions 36 are aligned with one another so as to becurved about a common axis oriented horizontally in a longitudinaldirection which is perpendicular to the lateral direction of the spacingbetween uprights 14. The cupped portions 36 are spaced apart from oneanother in the axial direction of the common axis about which the cuppedportions are curved to define a gap 40 between the cupped portionshaving suitable dimensions for receiving the hand of the usertherethrough.

A divider plate 42 is provided at the inner end of each cupped portion36 nearest the corresponding adjacent cupped portion to axially locatethe dumbbell in the axial direction on the cradle. The divider platesare each oriented vertically and perpendicular to the axial direction ofthe cradles so as to be spaced from one another by the distance of thegap 40 between the cupped portions. The upper free edges 38 of thecradles are spaced approximately two inches above the central portion atthe inner side while the divider plates have a height in the order ofapproximately one inch from the central portion of the cradle.

A mounting plate 44 is provided at the outer sides of the cradlesrespectively for mounting the cradles on the mounting posts 32. Theupper free edges 38 at the outer sides of the cradles are preferablymuch higher in elevation than the respective inner sides. The mountingplates are joined to the upper free edges 38 at the outer sides. Whenthe mounting plates 44 are mounted adjacent their top ends to themounting post 32, the cradles are suspended below the elevation of themounting posts.

A lift mechanism is provided for lifting and placing the dumbbells withrespect to the user with minimal effort required by the user. Thelifting mechanism includes a vertical rod 46 mounted within each uprightto extend the full length thereof through the vertical opening 28 in therespective carriage block 24. Each rod 46 is externally threaded todefine a worm gear which carries the carriage blocks 24 threadablythereon. The carriage block thus includes an internally threaded portion48 which mates with the threads of the rod 46 so that the carriageblocks are displaced upwardly and downwardly as the respective verticalrods 46 are rotated about their respective elongate axes extendingvertically with the uprights 14.

A motor 50 is mounted within each of the base members 16 which serve todrive rotation of the verticals rods 46. The motors 50 comprise electricmotors which are wired together for commonly displacing the carriageblocks responsive to common actuation thereof. A foot pedal 52 isprovided for activating the motors using the foot of the user. The footpetal 52 is coupled to one of the base members by an elongate flexiblecable 54 which permits remote positioning of the foot pedal 52 in aplurality of positions relative to the base members and permitsactivation of both motors 50 commonly with one control.

In use, the spacing between the cradles 30 is first adjusted using thetelescoping mounting posts 32 depending upon the desired exercise by theuser. The cradles are then lowered to be positioned adjacent the groundprior to mounting the dumbbells thereon. The dumbbells are positioned onthe cradles respectively such that the weighted end portions of thedumbbell are supported on the two cupped portions of the cradlerespectively with the handle extending between the weighted end portionsto be aligned with the gap 40 in each cradle for gripping with the handsof the user.

Axial displacement of the dumbbells relative to the respective cradlesis prevented by the divider plates which ensure that the weighted endportions of the dumbbells remain positioned on the cupped portionsoutwardly in the axial direction in relation to the divider plates.Using the foot pedal, the user then activates the motors which rotatethe rods and effectively lift the carriage blocks together with thecradles and any weight supported thereon. The pedal is a two way pedalpermitting both upward and downward controls from the same pedal. Oncein a desired position, discontinuing activation of the motor or afailure of the motor does not result in the weight falling in anyway asthe use of the worm gear ensures that the weight on the cradles remainswell supported in position until the vertical rods 46 are again rotated.

As described herein, the device 10 uses two worm gear mechanisms, eachcapable of lifting 350 pounds, to lift the dumbbells. The worm gears aremade from steel, and are driven by electric motors hidden in the base ofthe machine. A single foot switch operates both mechanismssimultaneously to control the upward and downward motion of the wormgears that are driven by the motors.

The dumbbells will rest in a dumbbell support rack or cradle 30. Thesesupport racks are made of formed steel, rolled to the same diameter as astandard dumbbell. This round shape holds the dumbbell securely. Therack extends to 2 inches from the bottom in front at the inner side, andup to the midpoint of the dumbbell in the rear at the outer side, inorder to prevent the dumbbell from rolling out. The dumbbell supportrack is attached to a drop plate or mounting plate 44, to bring it to alowered height of 1 inch. above ground level. This drop plate, in turn,is attached to a sliding arm or telescoping mounting post 32, secured bya pull-pin 34, to allow the user to set their preferred width.

A safety shield surrounds the worm gear lifting mechanism. This shieldwraps around the worm gear, leaving only a narrow gap in the frontthrough which the dumbbell support rack will attach. A plastic accordionshield covers the slots 22 in the uprights 14 above and below thedumbbell support rack.

The base of device, which houses the drive motors, is 8 inches in heightto allow clearance for the motors. The worm gear extends through a holein the base up the safety shield.

The two safety shields are joined by an overhead arch, which stabilizedthe assembly. For further stability, the safety shields are alsosupported by bracing rails, attached partway up the shield and extendingto the base, about 20 inches away from the safety shield.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIGS. 10 through 12, a furtherembodiment of the dumbbell supporting device is illustrated in which thecradles 30 are displaced along the uprights 14 using a manually drivenmechanical lifting mechanism. This embodiment works on a similarprinciple to the previously described powered one; however, instead of amotor, a hand crank 60 operates the lifting mechanism. This crank 60 issituated 2 feet (24 inches) from the bottom of the side rail, and about3 feet above the floor. This puts it at a convenient position for manualcranking. The crank inserts into a gear and chain setup, and each sideof the lifting mechanism is operated independently. A protective guardsurrounds the gears and chain. The crank handle turns the upper gear,which in turn drives a lower gear using the chain. The lower geartransfers the rotational motion to the worm screw, encased in the siderail. The worm screw works the same as in the powered lift, and when itturns lifts the dumbbell holder. The gear drive has a locking mechanism(hereafter referred to as a safety lock) that locks out all motion ofthe gears, the chain, and the worm screw. In order to raise or lower thedumbbells, this safety lock must be disengaged. The safety lock isspring loaded, and will automatically re-engage when released. Sinceeach side is operated independently, there is an identical mechanism andsafety lock on each side rail of the machine. As noted above, thedumbbell supports are mounted on a telescopic pin-locked arm, to allowthem to be moved closer together or farther apart, to suit the user'spreferences.

In a further embodiment which is not illustrated, the device 10comprises a manual dumbbell lift and is a simpler application of thedumbbell lift idea. There are no gears, no worm screws, and no drivemechanisms. The side rail 14 is a rigid beam, with holes drilledlaterally through it (from the front of the machine to the back, all theway through the side rail). These holes are placed vertically up theside of the machine, and are spaced about 1 inch apart, The dumbbellsupport is attached to a slider that fits around the side rail. There isa spring-loaded pin in each side of the slider (front and back). Inorder to lift the dumbbell support to a raised position, the dumbbellsupport must first be emptied. Both pins must be pulled back, and theslider then lifted to the desired height. The spring-loaded pull pinsreturn to their closed position when released. They insert through thelateral holes in the side rail, and secure the dumbbell support inplace. Each side of the apparatus will be raised independently. Afterbeing secured in position, the supports will hold the dumbbells at theuser's desired height. As in previous embodiments, the dumbbell supportsare mounted on a telescopic pin-locked arm, to allow them to be movedcloser together or farther apart, to suit the user's preferences.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A dumbbell supporting device comprising: a cradle for supporting a dumbbell therein; and a frame adjustably supporting the cradle thereon at a selected one of various heights above the ground.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the frame includes an upright track along which the cradle is supported for sliding movement.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein a motor is provided for controlling the movement of the cradle in relation to the frame between the various heights.
 4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the cradle is coupled to the motor through a worm gear.
 5. The device according to claim 3 wherein there is provided a pair of cradles for supporting dumbbells respectively thereon and wherein each cradle is coupled to a respective motor for displacing the cradle between the respective various heights above the ground, in which the motors are commonly actuated.
 6. The device according to claim 3 wherein the motor is actuated by a foot pedal.
 7. The device according to claim 3 wherein the motor is actuated by a control which can be located at various positions remotely from the motor.
 8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a pair of uprights each supporting a cradle thereon for adjustment between various heights above the ground.
 9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the two uprights are joined at respective top ends thereof by a cross member.
 10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the cradles are moveable along the respective uprights commonly with one another.
 11. The device according to claim 8 wherein the uprights are spaced apart in a lateral direction and wherein the cradles are oriented to support the dumbbells in a longitudinal direction oriented perpendicularly to the lateral direction of spacing between the uprights.
 12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cradles comprises two cupped portions for supporting weighted end portions of a dumbbell thereon in which the cupped portions are spaced apart from one another by a distance suitable for receiving a hand of a user therebetween.
 13. The device according to claim 12 wherein an inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cupped portion includes an upwardly projecting divider member fixed thereon.
 14. The device according to claim 1 wherein each cradle comprises two plates which are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction along a common axis, each plate including a lower portion for supporting a respective weighted end portion of a dumbbell thereon and extending upwardly from the lower portion to respective spaced apart free edges which are higher in elevation than the lower portion and which are located in opposing radial directions in relation to the common axis.
 15. The device according to claim 1 wherein the cradle comprises a pair of cupped portions which are curved about a common axis, with the cupped portions being spaced apart from one another in the direction of the common axis.
 16. The device according to claim 15 wherein an inner end of each cupped portion nearest to the opposing cupped portion includes a divider plate which is oriented generally perpendicularly to the common axis.
 17. The device according to claim 1 in combination with a dumbbell comprising a handle suitably sized for gripping in a single hand of a user, the handle spanning between a pair of weighted members. 